Sept. 2, 2005

Box Score

Lynchburg, Va.--George Mason University's men's soccer team kicked off the 2005 campaign with a 3-2 overtime win against Liberty in Lynchburg, Va. Friday evening. Junior transfer Francis McCardle (MF; Fairfax, Va.) scored two goals in his first game as a Patriot, including the game-winner, while senior Anthony Noreiga (San Fernando, Trinidad) added a goal for Mason.

McCardle started the scoring against the Flames as he fired one in the net 18 yards out off of a pass from senior forward Teba McKnight (Couva, Trinidad) at the 40:50 mark to give Mason a 1-0 lead.

Liberty went on to score the next two goals and had a 2-1 advantage heading into the final two minutes of the contest. With about a minute remaining in regulation, Noreiga answered with a goal which was deflected by the goalie right of the net about five yards. Neither team would score in the final minute, which meant overtime in both teams season opener.

The extra session did not last long as McCardle took a shot on goal from the center of the top of the box and saw it sail in at the 91:10 mark to give the Patriots, and first-year head coach Greg Andrulis, their first win of 2005.

Freshman goalkeeper Jeremy Jessup (Lockport, N.Y.) spent the entire 94:10 against the Flames as the netminder for the Patriots. Jessup allowed two goals and earned five saves on the night. Kevin Mahan was in goal the entire game for Liberty and collected six saves.

Mason faces Philadelphia on Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. for its first game at George Mason Stadium this year. Heading into Sunday's match-up, the Patriots hold a 14-2-4 overall record in home openers since becoming a member of the Colonial Athletic Association in1985.